ent value of incremental cash inflow is identical to the present value of
the cash outflow (investment), shareholder value doesn’t change.
When new investments yield a return below the cost of capital,
shareholder value decreases even as earnings increase. For example,
assume that EGI’s sales growth next year will be 20 percent with a $15
million investment. However, the pretax margin on incremental sales
will be 10 percent, rather than the 15 percent rate projected earlier. Here
is the revised income statement for next year and subsequent years:
($ in millions)
Sales $120
Operating expenses 103
Operating profit 17
Taxes (40%) 6.8
Earnings $ 10.2
While ear